Page 43 of Just Joshing
You shouldn't like this. This is Josh. Josh! Pete's brother! Sam's best friend!
And a man who makes your nipples ache. I pushed the uncomfortable thought away.
"Molly? Truth or the mask?" Josh asked again, his eyes were liquid fire, his mouth sculpted into an intense line as he studied my face.
"Truth," I replied, my voice equally hushed.
"I want to kiss you." The mask dropped, revealing desperately raw desire.
A heat spread from my core, liquid warmth radiating out. I shifted, my body brushing against his as I whispered, "Josh?"
"I can't pretend any longer. I want you, Molly. In bed, out. I want to date you. I want to taste your lips. I want to show you off, I want to watch you teach, and hold you when things get tough." His head dropped, his forehead resting against mine. "Fuck. I shouldn't have said that."
My heart thumped in my chest, a flush heating my cheeks as I looked up into his eyes. "H-how long have you felt like this?"
He pulled back slightly, giving me a crooked grin, "a while."
I drew in a shuddering breath.
Space. I need space.
I stepped out of his arms, locking my fingers with his, pulling him over to sit on one of the plush couches. He perched beside me; our bodies separated by three inches of dead air. The silence stretched as I searched for what to say. The irony of being speechless while surrounded by literally millions of words wasn't lost on me.
In the quiet I considered his request, taking out my feelings and examining them one-by-one. I had fear and anxiety, nervous anticipation and a bubbling of… something. It felt like hope and warmth and a turmoil of exciting shifting feelings. As if I were walking a familiar path that had suddenly been rendered new. It were as if I were lost but in only the best of ways.
"I think I'd like to date you." I whispered, my fingers tapping out a nervous beat against my thumb. "But I'm scared."
His hands covered mine, halting my nervous tapping. "What scares you?"
"You know."
"I'm not him." He lifted my chin, searching my face. "I'd never do what he did. I don't want to change you, Molly. I want to support you in anything you do."
I bit the inside of my cheek, feeling tears shimmer on my lashes. "I don't want to disappoint you."
"Jesucristo, Pecas. You could never."
I sniffled, rubbing a hand over my eyes. "That's a lie."
He wiped at a rogue tear with his thumb, caressing my cheek. "Not in the way you're thinking. If we do this, some disappointments are bound to occur. I'll miss dinner or forget an anniversary. You'll get me subpar scotch for Christmas. But I could never be disappointed in who you are. You're amazing, Molly. Y ya tienes mi corazón."
I bit my lip, heart hammering but melting a little too. "Okay."
"Yeah?" His lips lifted in a smile.
"Yeah. Let's try this out."
"Should we seal this with a kiss?"
I shook my head, pushing to a stand. "Absolutely not. I'm a three-date kind of girl."
He raised an eyebrow, grin turning mischievous. "Don't worry, I'll change your mind. Epic first date coming right up." He winked. "And it may even involve some Dino Porn."
I laughed as he stood. He gave me space, close but not intimate. We were entering a new phase, and despite my attraction to him, the nerves still remained.
Josh isn't a monster. He knows who you are and you know him. He doesn't want to change you.
"So, different topic. Should I buy it?" He waved a hand around, encompassing the room.
